We are an online college, so I think it is even easier than in a brick and mortar college, for students to drop out. We also have administrators call students who fall behind in their work. However, it is difficult because we are not talking face to face and can't always reach students by phone.
Our commitment to our students is taking an active role in helping them be successful.
Our school monitors student progess and achievements both in administrative capacities and through the instructors obersvations and feed back on the students. If any irregularities are discovered in a students performance, a process is implemented to decide what actions need to be taken to assist the student, that plan is then put into action and then the student remains on the radar screen to monitor whether there has been an improvement or if more actions are indicated.
Possible results of action plans could be interviews with the student to find out how they are feeling or what is going on with them, counselling and additional tutoring to assist in their success.
Each of the professors in our online college makes an effort to engage the student on a weekly basis. We want the student to know we care about their success. As an admissions official, I also demonstrate commitment in quickly answering email messages and phone calls. I do not want the student to feel his concerns are not being addressed.
This institution has an active student affairs office that is a great resource for students having issues with travel to or from school, a food pantry for those who may need it aas well as encouraging all instructors to be aware of changes in behaviour for early intervention.
Attendance is completed daily and those not attending class are called personally by the Program Director to find out if everything is ok, and find out what we can do to help them. Most times they aren't attending due to sick child, or they themselves are sick or they have been in some sort of accident.
By contacting the student and staying in constant contact lets them know we care about them as a person.
Our institution holds a weekly STARTS meeting where we discuss students who have recently started on campus. This meeting discusses missing documentation needed for that student's file and also gives associates from different departments the chance to voice any concerns that they may have about the student. For instance, Admissions may see that the student is missing a copy of his/her high school transcript, the instructor may have seen that the student has been missing classes, the Financial Aid department may show that the student's loan was denied. The meeting often answers questions that independently no one is able to answer (and also delegates which department should follow-up with the student next.) It cuts down on that student receiving an overwhelming amount of information, and also allows departments to divvy up the workload so that each student DOES get individual attention and no student gets put on the back-burner.
We've found this especially helpful in situations where students may not have responded to one party or department but will respond to another. For instance, a student may be more motivated to speak with a Financial Aid counselor about a loan disbursement than their Academic Instructor about missing class. If Financial Aid speaks to the student, they are aware of which departments also need to speak with the student. Ultimately all departments are given the information needed and Student Services follows-up as the student liaison.
everyone in the school organization must focuse on the students success!! poistive attitude is a key factor
At our school we have the typical Deans, and Faculty heads, but to my knowledge do not have academic counselors that visit with the students on a regular basis throughout their programs. I believe that they have an initial counelor to recruit, but do not know if they are assigned to each student for the duration of their academic careers.
These counselors could monitor hitches in adacemics, absence, personal and family issues, cued by the teacher. I feel that the students do not have a resource to go to - a coach, counselor or wellness person to iron out issues within their personal vs. academic lives,outside of the faculty and Deans. A team environment, including faculty, educational administration, indivisual counselors, financial aid and wellness personnel would ensure a total "preparedness team" for the student (if resources are available).
I personally call each student when they are absent to find out why they were not in class. I also meet on a one on one basis with all my students throughout the term to find out their concerns or issues with the program and/or personal problems.
How often are students referred to outside services? What are the most common referrals? Is there a cost for the services, and if so, who pay?
Do the AIPs become part of the student's file, Jamie? What kind of follow up is scheduled for students who complete their plans and who is responsible for doing this?
Our institution is very committed to student success. We have orientation prior to class starting and a "welcome team" for the first five days of class so that students can easily get assistance. Students are telephoned by instructors, student services and/or the Dean if they are absent. Student services seeks to provide outside referrals in order to support students with life issues. Instructors, program directors and the Dean will regularly meet with at risk students in order to support them through their journey. Tutoring sessions are provided and/or arranged and student appreciation events are regularly scheduled all in an effort to demonstrate the school's commitment to student success.
We are in constant contact with student who do not attend class. When they miss class, we reach out to them. We also have incorporated a system called Academic Improvement Plans that students need to fill out who are not doing well in their classes. This tells students what they needs to do to get back on track to help them be successful in their class. They are then referred to the Learning Center for tutoring.
Faculty training sessions are an important element of retention that is often overlooked. How often does your institution have training, who conducts it and what is covered?
Steven, what do you mean by "the student value stream"?
Asher, does the calling policy improve attendance rates? Do you see a better attendance rate for students nearing graduation versus those just starting?
Our school does a good job of training their instructors and assuring we have consistent and effective faculty training sessions. This shows the faculty that they are valued and this investment in faculty development will reflect on how they convey the institutions commitment to all.
We have a feedback process that is applied at several intervals along the student value stream.. This allows for timely data analysis and immediate corrective and preventatives actions.
Students know they have caring instructors at our campus. There is ample time set aside during class time for students to practice skills, start homework with an instructor present, or talk to instructors about personal issues. We provide students with a caring environment.
We do a few things at our school:
If a student is absent, it is the responsibility of the instructor to call and email the student asking why they were not in class/is everything okay?/will you be there tomorrow? If the student has been absent for 3 straight days, Student Services takes over and calls the student to see if they can get a hold of them. We usually get very positive responses from students that are even shocked that we called them because they say no school they have ever been to has called if they were absent.
At orientation, we give each student a break down of what is expected of them at each module and what will be covered. They are told that there is an open door policy for any issue that might come up and to come talk with student services and even the Campus Director.
If a student is struggling in a class or wants to review the material, they can fill out a petition request for free tutoring with the instructor after class which students seem to enjoy and partake of pretty often.
